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Job Overview
Job is the first poetic book of the Old Testament. It relates the anguish of a righteous man as he and his friends struggle to explain the affliction, which has befallen Job and has stripped him of his wealth, his family, and his health. The dialogue continues between Job and his friends as each presents his opinion on the reasons behind such troubles.
The purpose of the book of Job is to grapple with the question of why good people sometimes suffer. God promises that he will bless the faithful. Job agonizes over the apparent exceptions. The book concludes that ultimately only God knows the reason behind much suffering.
As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul; all the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils; my lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit. Job 27:2-4
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
Bad things happen. Trials do come to all of us. What should my attitude be toward trials and tribulations that come into my life?
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
1:1 thru 1:5 |
Descriptio of Job |
| 1:6 thru 2:10 |
Affliction of Job |
4:24 thru 2:43
|
Arrival of Job's three friends |
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
3 thru 14 |
First Cycle of Debate |
15 thru 21 |
Second Cycle of Debate |
22 thru 31 |
Third Cycle of Debate |
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
38 thru 40:5 |
God's First Challenge to Job |
40:6 thru 41 |
God's Second Challenge to Job |
42 |
Job's Submission and Restoration |
The Psalms are divided into five sections, each according to a specific classification. The Psalms are a form of Hebrew poetry, many of which were accompanied by music. The content of the Psalms includes prophecy of Christ, praise to God, and visions of the future Kingdom of God and its glory. The authors went through many different experiences. Many psalms were the result of the writers' feeling of elation in the service of God. Men who were in the depths of despair wrote other psalms. Some psalms relate to the history of Israel, and many are prophetic both of Jesus and of God's future kingdom.
Some psalms are Messianic Psalms. These psalms are generally given this title because they refer specifically to the work of Jesus. For example, Psalm 2 questions why the nations rise up against the Lord and his anointed. Psalm 22 commences with "My God, my God why have you forsaken me" - words quoted by Jesus on the cross. What better authority is there about the Messianic nature of this psalm that the authority of Jesus! Psalm 72 is another. Written by Solomon, this one is refers to the coming kingdom that will last forever.
There are twenty-four psalms that begin or end with "Praise the Lord." These psalms of praise are often called the 'Hallel' psalms because of this - 'Hallel' being a shortened form of 'Hallelujah'. It is interesting to note that all of these psalms were anonymous which perhaps suggests that they had been written for Temple worship and were in common usage. Some of these psalms are 104 through 106 and 111 through 120.
Psalms 120 through 134 comprising “Songs of Decrees” are special set of psalms, which were sung while the Jews were ascending Mt Zion to celebrate Jewish Feasts.
Some psalms describe extreme human distress. There are a number of psalms that indicate the different forms this distress took. David was one who was frequently distressed.
Psalm 4 describes his distress, when s persecuted by his enemies and he subsequently sought GOD's assistance. He was distressed over his own sinfulness (Psalms 13 and 32), and he was distressed that there was so much wickedness around him (Psalm 55). The most important feature of these psalms is David's recognition of the need to rely on God for help
Psalm 4 describes his distress, when s persecuted by his enemies and he subsequently sought GOD's assistance. He was distressed over his own sinfulness (Psalms 13 and 32), and he was distressed that there was so much wickedness around him (Psalm 55). The most important feature of these psalms is David's recognition of the need to rely on God for help
The Bible contains many examples of God's judgments on the wicked. At the same time, it contains many examples of the hope that the righteous have providing they place their trust and confidence in God. Some of the Psalms that suggest this hope are: Psalm 42, Psalm 80, Psalm 84 and the very beautiful but meaningful poem, Psalm 137. Of course, the most well known psalm of hope is Psalm 23.
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalm 1:1-2
Proverbs Overview
Proverbs is a collection of wise sayings from several sources, including King Solomon, laying practical rules for right living based on godly wisdom. The book does not hesitate to link good and bad with reward and penalty. Much can be learned by testing personal conduct against the positive and negative standards and warnings as recorded in the Proverbs. The sayings deal with many different problems and situations. Most of the proverbs are very short and easy to remember. The proverbs are not organized in a way, which puts all the sayings on one topic together. Instead, almost every verse raises a new and important idea. Throughout the book, the view is presented that all men fall into two basic classes. Both are known by their habits, their deeds, their "fruits", their chosen "ways" in life, and their fitting ends. They are either with God or without Him, good or evil, or wise or foolish. There is even a mutual tension between the two classes, the two ways of life, which shows up in every aspect of life.
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. Proverbs 9:10
What is the beginning of wisdom? What is the “fear of the LORD”? Why is that wisdom?
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
1:1 thru 1:7 |
Introduction |
1:8 thru 9:18 |
The Righteous Woman, Wisdom vs. the Evil Woman |
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
10 thru 12 |
Just/Wicked Sayings |
13 thru 15 |
Wise/Foolish Terminology |
16 thru 22:16 |
Misc. Proverbs |
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
30 |
The Words of Agur |
31:1 thru 31:9 |
The Words of Lemuel |
31:10 thru 31:31 |
the Virtuous Woman |
The name Ecclesiastes comes from the root meaning "to assemble together". As such, the book forms a collection of many wise sayings and proverbs of Solomon. The book is mainly composed of observations of life. Solomon, having lived a full life with all its pleasures, concludes that life is "vanity". "Vanity" is the emptiness of life apart from God. It means "that which soon vanishes away". What better man to speak about life than a man who was given all it had to offer. Without God, life would be meaningless, and all his worldly possessions would amount to nothing. Therefore, the conclusion of his studies states that man should love and fear God and obey His commandments.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13
With all things in the world considered what is our duty? Why are the things of life vanity?
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
1:1 thru 1:11
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The Futility of all Human endeavors
|
1:12 thru 2
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The Test of Practical Experience
|
3 |
Men's Opportunity Limited by Time |
4 |
Human Folly Greatly Increased by Oppression |
5:1 thru 5:8
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Folly of Insincere Worship
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5:9 thru 6:2
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Vanity of Riches
|
6:3 thru 11:6 |
Vanity of Human Desiresl |
11:7 thru 12"8 |
Advice and Warning to Youth |
12:9 thru 14 |
Conclusion |
. This song is a poem in the form of a conversation about the wonder of sexual love. It depicts the beauty of love between a man (Solomon) and a woman (his beloved or Shulamith) which develops into a mature undying relationship. Many interpret it as an allegory of God's love for his people or the relationship between Christ and his church. The basic message is the purity and sacredness of love.
It is a kind of love song in which Solomon and his beloved take turns in singing about their love for the other. There is also a chorus sung by a group of their friends. The speeches and events described do not necessarily follow in chronological order.
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Song if Songs 8:6
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 John 4:10
For I am the LORD, I change not; Malachi 3:6a
Does GOD love us? How much? Does His love change?
Chapter Reference |
Subject |
1:1 thru 1:7 |
Song 1: The ardent love and becoming humility of the bride |
1:8 thru 2:7 |
Song 2: Love's communion and self–sacrificing devotion |
2:8 thru 2:17 |
Song 3: Signs of the bridegroom's coming
|
3:1 thru 3:5 |
Song 4: His sudden appearance
|
3:6 thru 4:7 |
Song 5: The splendor of marriage
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4:8 thru 5:1 |
Song 6: Entering the inheritance
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5:2 thru 6:10 |
Song 7: The first advent call and espousal of the bride
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6:11 thru 6:13 |
Song 8: Anticipating his coming
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7:1 thru 7:9 |
Song 9: The flowing beauty of the bride |
7:10 thru 8:4 |
Song 10:The bride's deep longing and ardent desire for the groom's return |
8:5 thru 8:7 |
Song 11: The joy and communion of true marriage |
8:8 thru 8:14 |
Song 12: Love's labor in the future
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